The colonial legacy in museums: an open debate
The history of the plunder of the Parthenon Marbles is one of the most emblematic examples that illustrate the controversy over cultural heritage in European museums. In the early nineteenth century, the British diplomat Thomas Bruce, known as the 7th Count of Elgin, moved to England a significant part of these marbles, exhibiting them in the British Museum. These objects, which are an essential cultural heritage for Greece, were removed during Turkish rule and have never been returned, thus feeding a debate that endures today.
Catalan museums and their relationship with colonialism
Elgin case is not isolated; The museums of Catalonia also face similar issues. In these cultural spaces, not only historical documents can be found, but also works of art and artifacts that come from the old colonies. This raises questions about their acquisition and the role these objects play in the current museum narrative, which is often marked by a past.
Initiatives to address equity repair
In this context, the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation (ACCD) has promoted the project ‘(TR) African (T) S’. This initiative seeks to investigate the origin and conditions of acquiring objects from the old Spanish colonies and other African countries with postcolonial connections in Catalonia. The project includes collections of Catalan museums, such as the Museum of the Skin and Comarcal de l’Anoia, which houses pieces with a significant colonial past.
A unique example: The Elephant’s Peach of Igualada
Among the collections of the Museum of the Skin of Igualada is a paw of tanned elephant from Equatorial Guinea. This piece, which was given by the primatologist Jordi Sabaté Pi, reveals the complexities of his acquisition. Sabaté Pi, who had links with the city, took advantage of his influence on the colonial government to obtain several pieces, including living and dead animals, in a context where Africans could not hunt by law.
The decolonization of museums: a path to repair
The decolonization of museum heritage is an essential process that seeks to review and rectify historical narratives and museum practices. This implies not only the restitution of cultural objects, but also a re -evaluation of how colonized cultures are represented. Alberto López Bargados, professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Barcelona, emphasizes the importance of a mutual agreement in this process, which is not limited to the return, but seeks to reconstruct relationships between cultures.
Uncertain future: Who decides the fate of heritage?
The future of plundered cultural heritage must be decided by the communities of origin. Alternatives should not be unilateral, as there may be interests in maintaining some heritage in European museums as a form of cultural exchange. The Elephant Pot of Igualada is just an example of how heritage decisions must be shared, considering the diversity of opinions and needs of the affected communities.